Saîd Aouita
Ask people form all around the world who is the greatest athlete Morocco has ever produced and invariably the name of middle distance runner "Saîd Aouita" will come up. Saîd will be remembered, not only as a great athlete, but as an ambassador who has brought Honor to his country and to himself.
Early Life
Saîd aouita was born on November 2, 1959 in Kenitra, a coastal Moroccan city. Nine years later, he moved to along with his family to Fes due to the nature of his father's work. As a child he spent most of his time playing football and wanted to be a great footballer, however, his outstanding skills in running made his coaches foresee a great future in track and field.
Could He Made It In Football
As a youngster, Aouita played for Kenitra Football Team. Saîd was a talented football player. He was self-confident and an outgoing sort of person. He would be a great footballer today if he hadn't given up football to go into athletics, "Recalls one of hi team mates from that time".
Aouita ran his first official race at the age of 18. He came first, ofcourse. Following this, he was sent to France on an athletics scholarship. There he proved himself as a brilliant athlete coming close to breaking records in middle-distance racing. The French even offered him their nationality, but Saîd was proud of being Moroccan and he refused the offer.
Aouita Stikes Gold
Saîd Aouita beacame an Olympic Champion when he won the 5000 meters at the Olympic Games in Los Angles. This performance set off an explosion of national celebration. The date was August 5, 1984. That night the stress across the country were filled with delighted people singing and waving the national flag. It looked as if the whole population come out to celebrate the event, as they had done two days earlier when Nawal al-Moutawakil had won the gold medal in the 400 meters hurdles. Morocco was the first African and Arab country to win two gold medals in the Olympics, so it was hardly surprising that celebrating were enthusiastic.
Insatiable Appetite For Records
In 1985, Aouita broke the world 1500 meters record at an athletics meeting in West Berlin when he clocked " min 27.46 was his second world record in less than a month, following the one in the 5000 meters at Oslo, Norway. Aouita has no rival but himself. He is experienced an unparalleled career, " read a headline in a Spanish Newspaper. On July 22, 1987, he became the first man to get 13 minutes for the 5000 meters, breaking his own record. Six days earlier, he had won the 2000 meters in 4 min 50 s, a new world record.
The Best Years To Come
Athletics observers predict that Aouita, who masters every distance from the 800 meters up to the 10,000 meters, will break other world records, including his own, in the future. it would be surprising if he didn't, for Aouita is an athlete whose moral qualities are as impressive as his physical ones. We can look forward to more enthusiastic celebrations.
Simplicity Itself
Despite all the rewards and honors, Aouita has never lost his natural dignity and simplicity. When he is not on the track, the favorite pastimes of this international celebrity are horse-driving, cooking a special fish dish and enjoying the privacy of his home and family.
A Piece Of Advice
What would Aouita's advice be for a youngter who dreams of becoming a sports Hero?
"First, I would say, be self-reliant and ambitious. Second, you must love what you're doing and always chalenge yourself to do better. Third, follow advice from older sportsmen."
You can read Saîd Aouita's Bio in Wikipedia => Saîd Aouita, wikipedia
Post a Comment